Caravan Club abandons plans for London 2012 campsite

The Caravan Club has abandoned plans for a special campsite during the London Olympics. The site, on Olympic athlete Sally Gunnell's childhood home near Chigwell was set to accommodate thousands of campers, caravanners and motorhomers, and to feature giant TV screens, however the plan met with fierce opposition from local residents.

The Caravan Club has released the following statement:

Statement from The Caravan Club 13th June 2011

"The Caravan Club was founded in 1907 and is well regarded as a highly professional organisation which represents the interests of its members.  The Club has an ethos of being sensitive and environmentally aware land custodians. Caravan Club members are considered to be extremely good neighbours who engender a welcoming and helpful community spirit.

"In April 2011 The Caravan Club announced plans to create a well-organised temporary site in Chigwell in support of Club members visiting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  The reasoning was quite simple; The Club wanted to enable its members to be close to the venues, to visit the Games and to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime event.  It was never an intention to repeat this exercise and host future temporary sites on the venue.

"It has become apparent that many Chigwell residents are in opposition to the plans for the temporary site.  It was never the intention of The Club to cause such concern to residents and The Club is surprised and saddened by the depth of sentiment.  Thankfully this has never happened before in The Club’s 104-year history.

"The Caravan Club takes great pride in developing strong relationships with third parties; landowners and residents alike.  To that end The Caravan Club does not feel it would be appropriate to continue with the organisation of the temporary site at Chigwell and, as a result, the site will not be going ahead at Old Farm.  In doing so, The Caravan Club is fulfilling the responsibilities of holding an exemption certificate placed on it by the Natural England guidance on the 1960s Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act.

"The Club also does not want its members to feel as though they might be a source of concern to residents when they are in an area at a time they would be celebrating a great British event.

"The owners of Old Farm and Caravan Club members have been informed of this decision and the reasons why."

News